Good Spring on the Farm

[Ken Scharabok]

Just got through hauling in the last of 34 1/2 round bales from the field around the pond. That is the FIRST hay harvested from that field since I bought the farm. A couple of years ago I had French drains put in. Then a combination of spring fertilization (with over-seeding) and frequent spring rains. In fact, it is raining now.

I currently have my cattle on three small paddocks near the residence. Grasses are about 3' high in them with LOTS of understory. I plan to bushhog to just clip off tall seed heads, then keep the cattle on these three as long as possible. It may be possible to get a second cutting off of that pond field. If necessary I can fence off about 1/3rd that field for grazing and hopefully grow hay on the other 2/3rds.

Plus, the grasses and such are about 4' tall in the seven acre hay field across the creek and maybe 3' tall in another hay field. Haven't checked two fields up in the woods on the ridge, but suspect they will also produce a nice first cutting. On those two woods clearning fields, it is rare to get a second due to shading.

Cattle are FAT. When we worked them about a week ago just about had to grease one up to get her down the chute. My guess is that one goes 1,500-1,600 pounds. Have a couple of Angus about that weight also. Both of those Angus have beefy bull calves which out to bring top money when sold as yearlings.

Disappointing calf crop. Two didn't take. Two had deformed calves (exact same deformity with both). Suspect that had to do with the drought last summer and I didn't provide enough vitamins and minerals. On the misses, both of those, and the bull, are no longer here. I cull hard.

[topside1]

Ken, great to hear most everything is going your way...Now if you could push that rain to Overton County I would be greatful. Hasn't rained here in quite some time...Question? Didn't you mention about a year ago, laying a gray tarp down and then stacking your square bales directly on the quality gray tarp, no pallets? Was the tarp on dirt, concerte, bed of waste hay? You experienced no waste? The reason I ask, even with my squares on pallets the bottoms of the bottom row got slightly moldy. The floor was bare dirt.....Thanks for the feedback Ken, your neighbor to the East......John

[Jcran]

Originally Posted by Ken Scharabok

Disappointing calf crop. Two didn't take. Two had deformed calves (exact same deformity with both). Suspect that had to do with the drought last summer and I didn't provide enough vitamins and minerals. On the misses, both of those, and the bull, are no longer here. I cull hard.

Deformed how? There are some forage material, that if an animal takes in too much of, due to drought conditions, etc. are teratogenic (deformed results). Around here, false tansy, aka "flixweed" has been slowly invading alfalfa pastures. In addition, lupine can cause birth defects. Just a thought.
PS please send some of that wonderful hay our way. Imported grass hay $22/120lb bale...barf!

[Ken Scharabok]

Yes, there is a bit of mold on the bottom of the bottom hay bales on the tarp over ground.

Deformity was back legs were locked up. Calf couldn't stand. First time I encountered it and there have been LOTS of calves born here.